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assurance

n.
US //əˈʃʊɹəns// UK //əʃjˈɔːɹəns// as·sur·ance
  1. 1 a promise or guarantee (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a positive statement or promise that something is true or will definitely happen.

    a declaration intended to inspire confidence or provide a guarantee of a particular outcome.

    Example

    The manager gave us his personal assurance that the repairs would be finished by Friday.

    Example

    Despite the director's repeated assurances that no jobs were at risk, the staff remained skeptical about the upcoming merger.

    Usage

    Often used with the verb 'give' or 'receive'.
  2. 2 self-confidence (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a feeling of being certain about your own abilities.

    confidence in one's own abilities or status; a state of being certain and undoubting.

    Example

    She spoke with great assurance, even though it was her first time on stage.

    Example

    The young diplomat handled the difficult negotiations with an assurance that belied his lack of experience in international affairs.
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  1. 3 life insurance (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Technical

    a type of insurance that pays out money when someone dies or after a certain amount of time.

    a contract providing for the payment of a sum of money upon a specific event, typically used in British English for life-related contingencies.

    Example

    He took out a life assurance policy to make sure his family was protected.

    Example

    The financial advisor explained the technical distinction between term insurance and whole-life assurance policies.

    Teacher's tip

    In British English, 'assurance' is often used for events that will definitely happen (like death), while 'insurance' is for things that might happen (like fire or theft).
  2. 4 legal transfer of property (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Law

    a legal document used to prove that property has been transferred from one person to another.

    a legal instrument or deed used as evidence of the conveyance of real property.

    Example

    The lawyer examined the old assurances to confirm who owned the land.

    Example

    The validity of the claim rested upon a series of complex legal assurances dating back to the eighteenth century.
Origin

From Middle English assuraunce, from Old French asseürance, from asseürer; as if assure + -ance.

Word family

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